blackstone



(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. BLACKSTONB.

V RAILWAY SWITCH. I No. 384,955. PatentedJune 26, 1888.

N, PETERS. Hum-lithograph", Walhingbfl. D. (L

(N0 Modem- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2; Y L. BLACKSTONE.

l l y g zgzzrem af." 559W 6M N. PETERS, Hwbumm. wmmm n. c.

UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS BLACKSTONE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

RAILWAY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,955, dated June 26,1888.

(X0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS BLACKSTONE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRailroad-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for manipulating three-waypoint-switches; and it consists of certain improvements therein, as willbe hereinafter pointed out.

Figure l is a plan View of a three-point switch having connectedtherewith my im proved devices for moving the same. Fig. 2 is a similarview, the devices having been turned to open one of the switches, theswitchstand being removed. Fig. 3 shows the position of the parts whenthe second switch is open. Fig. 4 is a side view of the switch-stand.Figs. 5 and 6 show cam-plates of different construction from those shownin the other figures,and Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of theswitch-actuating cam.

With the two movable switch-rails K L of a usual three-way point-switchI employ a movable cam engaging with the shifting connections of therails of both switches to move them in succession on the movement of thecam. The cam, as shown, is in the form of a plate, A, having asubstantially elliptical groove, D, which presents two cam-edges foroperating upon the ferruled studs or pins E E, projecting, respectively,from the slide-bars F F, which are connected by the bellcranks G G,orotherwise,with the switch-bars I I,moving with the rails KL,respectively. The camplate is turned by a shaft, B, on an axis whichis nearer one end, (I, of the ellipse than the other, d, although eachend portion of the cam may be part of a circle struck from the axis ofthe plate as a center, such a construction being shown in Fig. 5. Theshaft Bis stepped at its lower end in any suitable base, and issupport-ed above by the stand B.

G is an operatinglever, by which the shaft is turned, movable over asector-shaped rim, 1), of the stand, with which it is locked by thepivoted handle portion 0 thereof engaging with notches formed in saidrim.

The slide-bars F F are held in position and given proper direction intheir movements by the guides H H, in which they move.

their movements, however, being at all times directed in rightlines bythe guides H H.

Supposing it be desired to move the parts from the position shown inFig. 1, which is that occupied when the main track M is clear,- to theposition shown in Fig. 2, when a train will pass onto the switch-railsK, the handle 0 israised to unlock the switch and the shaft B given aquarter-turn in the direction of the arrow, carrying with it thecam-plate a corresponding portion of a revolution. During this movementthe end cl only of the 'cam which is nearest the axis thereof, and, ashere- V .inbefore stated, is preferably concentric therewith, engagesthe stud E, which therefore is not moved, and hence the switch-rails Lare not moved. On the other hand, during this movement of the cam-platethe end d of the cam farthest from the axis thereofiwhich is inengagement with the stud E in the position shown in Fig. 1, is movedfrom engagement therewith, and the concentric end portion dis brought tobear against it,so that the stud and with it the slide-bar F areforcedin the direction of the arrow toward the shaft B, thus moving theswitch-rails against the main track. A further movement of theplate-completing the half-revolution thereof and bringing the parts intothe position shown in Fig. 3-does not change the position of partsmoving the switch-rails K, for during this movement a portion of theconcentric end donly of the cam is carried past the stud E, to which nomovement, therefore, is imparted. This second movement will, however,shift the switch-rails L, as the end (1 of the cam-groove will bebrought to engage with the studE, throwing the same and sliding the barF in the direction of the arrow.

The shape of the groove D may be variously modified, two forms beings,hown-one in Figs. 1 to 3and the other in Fig. 5; and, instead ofproviding the plate A with but a single groove, two may be used, asshown in Fig. 6. This is an advantageous construction when it is desiredto throw the rails of one switch to a greater extent than or in adifferent manner from those of the other.

It will be evident that while my invention is two switches to move themseparately and sucparticularly designed and adapted for use with what isknown as three-point switches, yet the essential features thereof wouldnot be departed from were it employed with two independent switches thepoint-rails of which 1 were arranged differently from those shown in thedrawings.

Without limiting myself to the precise coir struction and arrangement ofparts shown, I claim 1. The combination, with two independent switches,of a movable cam engaging in succession with the shifting connections ofthe stantially as described.

4. In a three-way switch,the combination of the switch-rails K and L,the slide-bars F F,connected, respectively, therewith, and each providedwith a projection, a cam-plate provided with a cam, D,with which saidprojections e11- gage, said cam having a portion, d, substan tiallyconcentric with the pivot of the plate, and another portion, (1',situated at a distance from the pivot greater than the distance of theportion (Z therefrom, substantially as described. I

5. In a three way switch,the combination of the switch-rails K and L,the slide-bars F and F,connected, respectively,therewith, and providedwith the studs E and E, respectively, the horizontallyarranged plate A,having formed therein the groove D, having the two portions (1 and cl,the shaft upon which the plate is mounted, and the handle,substantially' as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS BLACKSTONE.

Vitnesses:

\V. P. FIELD, G. W. MERsHoN.

